FISU Diving Technical Committee Chair Donald Leas passes away at 82

It is with profound grief that FISU has learned of the passing away of longtime friend, ally, colleague and FISU Technical Diving Committee Chair, Donald Leas.

The award-winning diver, coach and leader passed away on Thursday, 25 April, at the age of 82. He had been suffering from an aortic aneurism for several years, which finally caused his death.

Donald Leas had been involved with diving since high school, through university and later as a coach and administrator. He had served as the National Chairman of Diving in the US Olympic Committee, as a Competition Director for many international diving events including the Olympic Games (1996) and FINA World Cup (1995).

An integral member of the FISU Family, Leas was Chair of the FISU Technical Diving Committee since 1981.

“We have lost a friend and one of the world’s leading experts of diving,” said FISU Secretary General-CEO Eric Saintrond. “His commitment and level of involvement was unmatched. Even now, heading into the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade, he was working very closely with the organising committee, advising them on every aspect including venue construction. He will really be missed.”

An author of more than a dozen books on diving and its rules, Donald Leas was the 1999 Paragon Award Winner for the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He was also the 1984 NCAA Diving Coach of the Year and was the NCAA Diving Coach of the Decade for the 1980s.

He is survived by Carol, his wife of more than 20 years. The couple lived in Clarion, Pennsylvania.